It would be interesting to conduct a wee survey of my Facebook friends to see how many have heard of this man who lived in the 4th century. It was my son-in-law, Peter McLean who suggested that I should read an old book called 'On the Incarnation' by Saint Athanasius. I was not put off by his title, even though the idea of prefixing the word 'saint' to certain Christian leaders goes against my instincts honed in Bethany Hall, Stevenston and other similar Gospel halls. Subconsciously, I had come to imagine that the centuries between the writing of the last book of the Bible and the dawn of the Reformation should best be ignored. These were the years when the church declined - "years of departure" from the truth set out in the New Testament. I did study mediaeval history many years ago and I remember writing an essay on something like the following title: "A moribund church reflected a moribund society" - Discuss with reference to the church in England in the 14th century. As I read for this essay, I found examples of godly men and occasionally godly women, some were described as 'mystics.' This was a millennium after Athanasius but there were people who loved the Lord and read His Word avidly and with passion. They lived simple lives dedicated to prayer and reading the Scriptures. God always has a remnant who are faithful to Him despite the general trends towards idolatry or worldliness or sinfulness.
On Peter's recommendation, I downloaded the Kindle version of 'On the Incarnation' by Athanasius and I read it through from beginning to the end. I have to admit that I did not find it easy reading but, deep down, I was impressed by the godliness of this man whose name I had never heard. I highlighted many paragraphs which struck me forcibly as worth pondering. The content was not what I expected and I intend to elaborate on this in my next blog on Athanasius. His approach to his subject challenged my preconceptions but I found his statements profoundly thought-provoking. I was reading the words of a man of God. I was hearing the thoughts of someone who had a deep faith in God and a reverence for God's word. His teaching was profoundly Christ-exalting. I found myself pondering and reflecting on his writings and I have had a desire to encourage others to find out more about this man and his writings.
I came across a book which I was given by Lorraine Myles after the death of her dear father, Harry Strang. The title is "Pen Pictures of Early Church Leaders" by Archibald Naismith. Archie Naismith had a brother who was known as W.F. Naismith and I listened to both of these men when I attended Brethren conferences in my boyhood years. I also had a book entitled, "Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes," (written by these Archie Naismith) which I seem to have mislaid or lost or given away to someone. Archie Naismith goes through the church leaders who were influential in the early years of the church starting with the twelve apostles -
Chapter 1 Peter the Impetuous
Chapter 2 James the Son of Thunder
Chapter 3 John the Beloved
Chapter 4 Andrew the Enthusiast etc. etc
Part III of his book deals with the Twelve Pillars who include Stephen the Martyr, Philip the Evangelist and Saul the Exhorter.
It is Part IV "TWELVE CHURCH FATHERS" which sets Athanasius in his context.
Here is the list
Chapter 1: Ignatius the Dedicated
Chapter 2: Polycarp the Martyr
Chapter 3: Justin Martyr the Apologist
Chapter 4: Tertullian the Jurist
Chapter 5: Irenaeus the Peacemaker
Chapter 6: Origen the Thinker
Chapter 7: Athanasius the Theologian
Chapter 8: Basil the Monasticist
Chapter 9: Ambrose the Politician
Chapter 10: Jerome the Translator
Chapter 11 Chrysostom the Preacher
Chapter 12 Augustine the Author
Athanasius became well known because of this treatise which has the full title, "On the Incarnation of the Divine Word." He was an Egyptian from the city of Alexandria where he received a very good education. He had a good friend and helper called Bishop Alexander, who ordained Athanasius as a priest in the year 328 AD (at the age of 32). The two men met and became friends when Athanasius attended the famous Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This Council had been convened to deal with a serious heresy known as Arianism which was affecting the Christian church. This council probably left its mark on Athanasius who was passionate in his defence of divine truth from God's inspired Word. There was serious error regarding the person of Jesus Christ and Athanasius spent his life teaching the message of the Bible in a context of error and heresy. Although Athanasius was not called to be a martyr, he knew about many martyrs who had been prepared to die for the truths taught in the Bible.
And Athanasius was prepared to stand for the faith at all costs. Archie Naismith quotes his declaration as follows: 'Athanasius against the world and the world against Athanasius.' He was bitterly opposed to the heresy of Arianism which undermined the deity of Christ. Athanasius strongly proclaimed the eternal deity of Christ as well as His perfect humanity. He seemed to stand alone in his defence of the truth against this pernicious error. Athanasius had become Bishop of Alexandria on the death of his friend Bishop Alexander and he retained this office for 45 years. He was banished several times for his refusal to accept heresy. The Emperor Constantine had him exiled to Treves in the Rhineland because of his point-blank refusal to recognise Arius. Athanasius had many enemies who tried to wreck his reputation with a vicious smear campaign throwing all sorts of accusations against him 'levelling against him charges of rapacity (greed and theft), sacrilege (disrespect for sacred things), assault and even murder. Athanasius had to face a tribunal headed by the Pope and a large company of bishops but he successfully cleared his name. The Emperor Constantius (the son of Constantine) recalled him from exile in 337 AD and he was reinstated as Bishop of Alexandria. He was warmly welcomed back by his flock.
In the next Day Share blog, I would like to give a flavour of the contents of this treatise by this godly man who lived 1600 years ago. If I can encourage even one person to read the treatise, "On the Incarnation of the Divine Word," I will feel that it has been worthwhile writing these blogs.
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